Dangerous When Wet [Blu-ray]

Director: Charles Walters Charles Walters

Overview

Brought up in a family of swimmers, an Arkansas girl (Esther Williams) decides to risk crossing the English Channel after a shady promotions man (Jack Carson) pressures her (just to drum up sales for his vitamins). With the encouragement of a champagne salesman (Fernando Lamas)--who rescued her while she was practicing--she just might be able to do it. Animated cat-and-mouse team Tom & Jerry make a notable appearance swimming with Williams.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/27/2023
UPC:	0810134941090
Original Release:	1953
Rating:	NR
Language:	English
Time:	1:36:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Esther Williams	Katy Higgins
Fernando Lamas	Andre Lanet
Jack Carson	Windy
Charlotte Greenwood	Ma Higgins
Denise Darcel	Gigi Mignon
William Demarest	Pa Higgins
Donna Corcoran	Junior Higgins
Barbara Whiting	Suzie Higgins
Bunny Waters	Greta
Henri Letondal	Joubert
Paul Bryar	Pierre
Jack Raine	Stuart Frye
Richard Alexander	Egyptian Channel Swimmer
Tudor Owen	Old Salt
Ann Codee	Mrs. Lanet
Michael Dugan	Ad Lib
Roger Moore	Reporter
Reginald Simpson	Reporter
John McKee	Photographer,Photographer
Arthur Gould-Porter	English Steward
Eugene Borden	French Mayor
Aminta Dyne	English Woman Guest
Janette Littledove	Actor
James Fairfax	English Cab Driver
Molly Glessing	English Waitress
Pat O'Moore	Bob Gerrard,Bob Gerrard
Jimmy Aubrey	Bartender
Leslie Winston	Actor

Technical Credits

Dorothy Kingsley

Charles Walters	Director
Dorothy Kingsley	Screenwriter
George Wells	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Dangerous When Wet is one of Esther Williams' best vehicles, the rare one in which the plot actually counts for something. The basic setup -- Williams must swim the English Channel in order to make money to save her family's farm, but love interest Fernando Lamas keeps getting in the way -- clearly gives the aquatic star plenty of opportunity to show off her athletic ability, most memorably in a lovely dream water ballet with cartoon stars Tom and Jerry. But Williams, never a great actress, does surprisingly well in her dramatic and comedic scenes as well. She's helped by a genuine chemistry between her and Lamas, but even in the sequences without him, she does quite well. The script is by-the-numbers and predictable, but it's enjoyable and the climax still generates more than sufficient suspense. The score is quite enjoyable, if not quite first-rate, and Charles Walters directs with a modicum of flair and a minimum of fuss. William Demarest and Charlotte Greenwood, the latter still capable of doing some impressively athletic dance moves, are great fun, and Jack Carson turns in a good performance as the not-so-slick promoter. Dangerous When Wet is great fun, even for those who are not necessarily Williams devotees.